gengwall

Mark – “I also disagree with TL who claims ‘ezer kenegdo’ means equal. This word is used in other parts of the OT in reference to God being our help. Surely we are not equal with God.”

Ah yes, but certainly, God in the “role” of “helper” is not inferior or under the leadership of us! The stress of ezer in this as in other uses related to God as helper is a partnering to accomplish a task that one alone can not accomplish. Adam didn’t need a servant, nor did he need someone to lead. Adam needed a partner because he was not able to fulfill his responsibilities, nor was his life fulfilling, without a “corresponding partner”, his ezer kenegdo. Contrary to your assertion, the text of Genesis 2 from ezer to “one flesh”, and most certainly the joint “rule” and equal image bearing for males and females in Genesis 1, do indicate “equality”.

This equality, of course, does not also indicate sameness. Adam and Eve, men and women, are certainly not the same, even though we are equal. Certainly, men and women will take different approaches to our joint responsibilities.

So I would definately disagree with your weighing of arguments. There is not an absence of equality support in Genesis 2. On the contrary, everything about Genesis 2 points to the equality between the man and the woman. It is only the hierarchy argument that lacks any backing in the text.

“What i see throughout the rest of scripture is mens leadrship resposibilities and so i believe that same was there at creation.”

First of all, men are not the only leaders throughout scripture. So there is no unilateral, universal “mens leadership” to back your claim. Second – reliance on the historical male dominance perpetrated by fallen males is hardly a hook to hang your hat on. My challenge to you is to find any biblical teaching where God says men are the leaders in marriage. I have searched far and wide and have found none. Maybe you will have better luck. What I have found is that wherever the bible teaches about godly marriage, equality is the rule. Wherever biblical history records the foibles of fleshly marital relationships, male “rule” causes nothing but harm.